The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:12-13, “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”

“Be sure and wash your hands before supper.” “And don’t forget to brush your teeth before bedtime.”

“Be kind to your little sister; she’s not as big as you are.” How many times have you heard your mother

say things like this to you? It’s called repetition –not because she was bereft of words to express herself, but because that’s how children learn. It’s the drip, drip, drip of repetition that ingrains truths into “little skulls of mush.”

That must have been young Paul’s experience, too, because he uses it over and over again. “Put on a heart of compassion, ????????? (a heart with feeling).” Let your heart feel as if you were having the trouble of another. “Express kindness, ?????????, (an attitude of uprightness) toward others. Humility, ?????????????? is (voluntary submission). You are the guest speaker, but you take a seat at the end of the table instead of the middle. Gentleness, ???????, is having consideration for others: How can I help him? And always be patient, ??????????, –be emotionally quiet, and long-suffering toward others.

Then the question comes: How and when are these attitudes to be applied? Paul says, “…bearing with one another, and forgiving each other.” What’s the difference? Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown say that “bearing” relates to present offenses, while “forgiving” relates to past offenses. Let’s say that someone calls you “Sloth” because you take your time doing things. That’s a present offense, but you grin and say nothing: that is bearing with the offender. Yet, when someone says something negative about you when you are not present, that requires forgiveness. It’s a past offence that took place last week or last month.

We would all probably do well to re-read and think carefully on all three of the above paragraphs. How we act and react to the thoughts and attitudes of others demonstrates how Christian –Christ-like—we really are. Just remember that we have been saved to honor and glorify our LORD Jesus every day. That’s what it’s all about. God bless you as you do it!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:5-7, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

6 For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come,

7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.”

The Apostle Paul has previously informed the Colossian Christians –and us!—that we would face Christ in Heaven. Specifically, we Christians will stand before the bema seat where 1) we will give account of the unconfessed sin in our lives, and 2) we will be rewarded for our labor for His glory here on the Earth.

Now, seeing that all of this is coming to pass, the apostle charges the Colossians –and us!—to get rid of the

sins he enumerates in verse 5; namely, immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. The Colossians understood what all of this meant, because they had been that kind of people before they were saved.

You see, Christians are supposed to be different!

I’ve witnessed to people who said, “I’ve never __(fill in the blank)__ before,” thinking that they were sure to be alright in God’s eyes because they hadn’t done something really, really bad. Well, these things are bad! They’re really, really bad in God’s eyes; and they ought to be bad in our eyes, as well. In fact, this list of sinful lusts and passions is so bad that God is going to bring His wrath in full force against those who engage in such evil!

Believe it or not, I have worked in laboring areas; and I’ve listened to foul language and dirty stories that lost men love to tell. I’ve never been comfortable with such things. Why? Well, I didn’t understand it at the time, but now I know that the Holy Spirit within me was grieved at the garbage that erupted from the mouths of unsaved men. I’ve always loved humor; but I had to learn that Satan wraps some dirty, vulgar stories in some colossal humor, forcing Christians to decide whether they would turn away from the vulgar or laugh at the humorous wrapping.

Oh, Satan’s quite clever. Don’t you forget it. Even more, don’t forget that the LORD is not glorified with filth. He saved us so we could make new lives, live above the frey, and honor and glorify His Holy Name!

Are you there yet? You can be! The LORD will honor those who honor and glorify Him. Just remember: one day we will stand in His presence. Be prepared for that occasion! Live now “to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:14).

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:2-4, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

Did you ever hear anyone say, “Now mind what you do”? My grandmother used to say that a lot.

At least, it seemed like a lot. She never explained what she meant by it; but I never questioned

her because I knew. Virtually everything is controlled by the mind. As believers, we have the

Holy Spirit indwelling us, and He, too, effects our minds and directs them upwardly.

Notice how Paul references the present, the past, and the future in these three verses. Paul

admonishes all believers to “set (our) mind(s) on the things above.” This is the present. Do it now!

Do it often! Set the focus of your mind on upward things, Heavenly things. One of the most

beneficial assets in keeping our minds thinking upwardly is to listen to good, Christian music.

The past is referenced in verse three: “You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

When we repent of our sins and yield ourselves to the LORD, we have experienced death to

the old life and our lives are hidden in the secret place of God. There’s an old hymn that says,

In the secret of His presence,

How my soul delights to hide!

Oh, how precious are the lessons

Which I learn at Jesus’ side.

Earthly cares can never vex me,

Neither trials lay me low;

For when Satan comes to tempt me,

To the secret place I go.

We all feel lonely at times. And it’s in those times that we must be extremely careful! Satan

finds us mentally unguarded, and he slips through the crevices of our mind with thoughts that

were not there when we were abiding in that “secret place” with the Father.

Finally, Paul speaks of the future: “When Christ…is revealed…, you also will be revealed with

Him in glory.” There’s a Great Day coming when we will be with Christ in Heaven! The Apostle

John says, “…abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink

away from Him in shame at His coming” (1Jn 2:28). Were you even talking about someone only

to have him or her enter the scene and over hear your conversation? Embarrassing isn’t it?

That’s why Paul and John are telling us to live as Christians ought because Christ just might

come on the scene when we’re least expecting Him.

These are some serious things to consider! Think well; think often, and always upward!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Colossians 2:8-10, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

9 For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

I watched as a national media personality interview a member of the President’s Cabinet. He actually believes in “climate control.” He has been taken captive through the philosophy of pseudo-science! It would be sufficiently serious if he had simply been joking with the interviewer. But he was serious! I would have loved to have asked him exactly how he would go about controlling the climate.

Paul was wise to list “philosophy and empty deception” along with the “empty tradition of men.” There is so much pseudo-intellectual garbage floating around today that it’s little wonder that anyone knows anything with certainty. Even many pulpits today ignore biblical languages in deference to the latest book written by some popular “preacher of the week.”

Paul emphasized CHRIST! He emphasized the Scriptures that depict Christ. Dumbing down a congregation by feeding them humanism is in line with dumbing down schoolchildren, so that they are bereft of the simplicity of truthful, basic Scripture. We have a mission field right here around us. But many of our educational institutions are turning out scrambled minds that only know how to play with play-station!

Listen to Paul: “…in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form…”

“…in Him you have been made complete…”

“…He is the head over all rule and authority…”

Do you know from memory the names of the books of the Bible? Do you know how many books constitute the entire Bible? Do you know the authors of the books? Do you know to whom the books were originally addressed? Do you know the major themes of the books? Do you know how those books have meaning and relevance to us today? This is all basic to clearly understanding the Bible and its message to us today.

I heard a missionary couple speak last week. What they said about what is occurring in the area where they work led me to the sobering thought that we are indeed living in the Last Days! Christians worldwide are being persecuted for their faith. It all reminded me of the question: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

The time of the LORD’s return for His Church is nearer than it was only a month ago. Are you ready to meet Him? I urge you to get into the Bible! Develop a sincere prayer life! Let His Life be seen in you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Colossians 1:24-28, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.

25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the Word of God,

26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints,

27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.”

What do you want out of life? Some people want money; others want fame and recognition. Still, others want prominence; they want a position that causes others to be envious. And there are those who just want to be happy, whatever it takes. So, what do you want? Ever want to suffer? Ever want to dive into the waters of affliction and soak yourself in the disdain of those with whom you disagree? Well, probably not.

Paul, on the other hand, seemed to be “born for adversity.” Yet, he rejoiced in his sufferings! Why? Because he was literally wrapped up in the cause of his LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ! History is replete with accounts of true Christians singing while they burned at the stake. Others, literally raced toward the lions who would rip them to death in the Roman coliseum.

Is Paul nuts? Not at all. He notes the suffering of Christ and openly declares that he has a share in all things which Christ encountered and endured. Paul’s suffering, however, is not complete. He wants to fill up the sufferings that are lacking in his own life. His ministry –his calling—depends upon him being as much like Christ as spiritually possible. How is he to instruct converts to endure suffering if he himself avoids it?

Yes, Paul has set his course: he is going to proclaim Christ to everyone he can. He is going to admonish and teach believers by example as well as by verbal instruction. He is wise and sees his calling to “present every man complete in Christ.” Yes, his course is set. There is no turning back!

Face all of this with me. How close are we to being like Christ? Not at all. Okay, how close are we to being like the Apostle Paul? Well, not very close… Okay, seeing that we are going to meet Christ face-to-face one day, doesn’t it seem wise to “get with it”? I would reckon. So, don’t dodge suffering; just be prepared for it. Live, live, LIVE in the Word of God. Develop your prayer life. The old “Now I lay me down to sleep” isn’t going to cut it. That’s kids stuff. Grow up in the LORD! No, don’t look for trouble; just don’t be afraid of it.

You’re serving the KING of Kings! No one is more powerful than He! Just get in the game and listen to the Coach. I’ve read the last chapter. Guess what? He wins!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Please pray for this faithful, Christian servant, that his treatments may alleviate his suffering.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”